Am I Too Old?

[Snakum]

2years2go ... I've been reading here for five years about how lousy the life of a pilot is. The pay sucks, the hours suck, managment sucks, commuting sucks ... life in general just plain sucks if you make a living in the pointy end or in the back, I reckon. However, much like yourself, knowing all the bad aspects, I'm still busting my butt to get up front. It's all I have ever wanted to do.

Here's my current gig:

Averaging 70 hours per week over the last five years, including a huge number of late night/early morning client emergency calls, on the road a lot, working practically every weekend, spending the night on the couch in the dayroom once or twice per week when we're rolling out a new product, worked for less than $1000 per month for a while and had a few weeks of 100+ hours during that time, as well.

And you know what? I still actually look forward to coming to work most days, I still actually like my job, I still care for the people I work for and with, I give 125% every single day regardless of the size of my check at the end of the month because that's what is required. For me, the challenge of the job and knowing at the end of every single day how I contributed to our growth or became a wrench crunching in the gears is my reward. I believe in the company and so I fight for it every day, seven days per week.

So as long as I believe (and I do) that aviation will provide the same kind of challenges and the same kind of satisfaction, and at the same time allow me to do something for a living that I do as a hobby and LOVE ... I don't really care what the downside is, within reason. Every job has it's bad points.

And that's kinda the whole thing in a nutshell isn't it? If you don't believe in what you're doing, and if it is driving you nuts beyond mere belly-aching and venting (which we all do sometimes) ... isn't it time to go do something else? Even being a pornstar becomes a job eventually, as a retired Piedmont/US Air Captain told me once.

Probably like you, I'd trade with ANY of these guys who flies for a living.

Minh

 

[bobbysamd]

Age discrimination - back then

I was 34 when I left the Navy and had 2500 hours most of it multi engine turbine PIC in a 100,000 pound + P-3, an ATP with an L-188 type. Therefore, after being in the Navy 11 years, I averaged under 250 hr per year, typical military flt time. The majors told me my age and hours were out of ratio, back then being over 30 and getting a major interview was difficult. So even back in the 70's being older was a factor also.

. . . . which is surprising to hear, considering that being a military pilot usually puts one in front of the line.

However, thirty years ago, the economy was down and airlines were not really hiring. I met a gentleman who was a Buff pilot in the late '60s. He flew combat over Viet Nam and had all the desirable heavy military TJPIC that accrues from flying B-52s. He told me he tried for the longest time to get an airline seat. He said the day he was to start law school Delta called. He opted for law school.

 

[2yrs2go]

Probably like you, I'd trade with ANY of these guys who flies for a living.



Minh

I agree with you completely.


And, I loved the road. In four years of working the line, I remember only one day where I had anything resembling a really bad day. It was not my crew's fault, my airline, weather or MX. It was security issues. Go figure.


And, yes, I am a club member. PROUDLY. I earned it through fours years of reserve, long days, low pay, rotating crews, recruiting flight attendants, training flight attendants (yeah, I was an IOE instructor as well - further entrenching my club membership), prop planes with no pressurization, jets with no heat/ac, emergencies, weather, TSA, lousy hotels, fattening food, the ongoing pursuit of a smoking area, etc, etc, etc.


For my membership I made some great friends, discovered that I just might be able to do something I only ever dreamed of doing, laughed like nobody's business, met some of the most amazing people on my planes, saw some of the neatest things this country has to offer - in places most folks will never get to visit (how many people really go to BGM, GSP, TOL, SBN, TRI, CAE, ERI etc.), camaraderie like I have never experienced in the working world, etc, The list of good, far out ways the list of bad.


That is the reason I suggested to the original poster that he/she look into a job as a regional FA to see if the lifestyle works. And have a good time while making the decision.

 

[Goose Egg]

I've been reading here for five years about how lousy the life of a pilot is... I'm still busting my butt to get up front. It's all I have ever wanted to do... Probably like you, I'd trade with ANY of these guys who flies for a living.

Speaking of which, I'm convinced that satisfaction levels in anything, be it work, relationships, or anything else have little to do with the actual circumstance and everything to do with expectations. Sure, the life of an airline pilot can be hard--and all in that segment face similar circumstance--but if it works for you, i.e. fits your expectation levels, then you will be happy in that job. If not, you'll find an outlet like flightinfo to vent your frustrations.

Is airline flying absolutely for me? I don't know. But I like to think that I'm flexible enough that other types of flying jobs would also be appealing. My expectation is that I will need to be flexible. In fact, I wouldn't feel to bad about doing something else in conjunction with flying. Just as long as I get some flying in there somehow.

In short, I feel like the "airline or bust" attitude can be a little hazardous, if for no other reason that it blinds you to other possibilities along the way.

-Goose

 

[SWA Aviator]

Your only too old if you're Dead!

 

[sorenk]

I've seen some encouraging applications from hired pilot over 40 on the aviation interviews site.

 

[hmmurdock]

Greetings..

There is no telling if you are suited for the industry or not. Only you can answer that question. I will say that once fantasy met reality for me, the airline industry was not all it was cracked up to be. I have a hard time recommending this industry to anyone right now, especially anyone over 40. I personnally value dependability in my career and I dont get that from flying, right now at least. If I were you I would think twice about aviation as a career, especially if you have a wife and/or kids.



Take care

 

[Jim320]

It seems like this business goes in 10 year cycles. Timing is everything. I think now is a good time to be training for the next up ward trend. It could be at least 5 years or more before it happens. Your age will not prevent you from making it. I know of many who have done it after 40. I just flew with a guy who ran into his former dentist flying a RJ for Mesa.



There are a lot more opportunities now than when I started. There were not many commuters back than like there are now. You can go through programs now like Mesa’s or Comair and get into the right seat of a turbo prop or jet with not much time. It sure beats flying night cargo like when I started out, a lot safer to!



If you have a family you have to consider some of the life style issues others have told you about. It is not a 9-5 job. If flying is a passion and your family supports you I would say go for it. Just seek advice from people who are where you want to be in aviation.



Best of luck



Jim



http://www.alphapilottraining.com

 

[sorenk]

Thanks for both sides. I don't have a wife, and still want to commit to a lifelong desire of flying. Even at 37. The best advice I've heard so far has been to commit to each level no matter what it is CFI, freight, ect...and have a plan of so many years at each level, BUT be satisfied where youre at. I welcome opposing viewpoints. Yet still 90% sure I want to take the plunge.